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#67: Arcadia - Lauren Groff

In the fields of western New York State in the 1970s, a few dozen
idealists set out to live off the land, founding what would become a
commune centered on the grounds of a decaying mansion called Arcadia
House. Arcadia follows this romantic, rollicking, and tragic utopian dream from its hopeful start through its heyday and after.
Arcadia's
inhabitants include Handy, a musician and the group's charismatic
leader; Astrid, a midwife; Abe, a master carpenter; Hannah, a baker and
historian; and Abe and Hannah's only child, the book's protagonist, Bit,
who is born soon after the commune is created.
While Arcadia
rises and falls, Bit, too, ages and changes. If he remains in love with
the peaceful agrarian life in Arcadia and deeply attached to its
residents--including Handy and Astrid's lithe and deeply troubled
daughter, Helle--how can Bit become his own man? How will he make his
way through life and the world outside of Arcadia where he must
eventually live?

Hardcover: 304 pages

Publisher: Voice (March 13, 2012)

ISBN: 9781401340872

Author Bio:

Lauren Groff was born in Cooperstown, New York. She has a BA from
Amherst College and an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and
has won fellowships to the Vermont Studio Center and Yaddo. Her debut
novel, The Monsters of Templeton, was a New York Times bestseller and
was shortlisted for the Orange Broadband Award for New Writers 2008. She
lives in Gainesville, Florida.

My Opinion:

I didn't love the book.

I didn't dislike it either.

It just never ended up going anywhere for me.I loved the writing though. I found it very Shakespearian and that helped me finish the story.

The story itself feel flat for me though. Without the clever phrasing and writing style, my attention wouldn't have been kept.

I'm sure others will disagree, and that's cool, but it just left that impression on me.

2.5/5

Recommend?No.

DISCLAIMER: I received a copy for review. I was not compensated for my opinion or this post.

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